Lionel Messi Shines in Injury Comeback: Scores Twice in Inter Miami’s 3-1 MLS Victory Over Philadelphia Union
Lionel Messi scored twice and assisted in Inter Miami’s 3-1 Major League Soccer (MLS) victory over the Philadelphia Union in a thrilling comeback from injury on Saturday.
After sustaining an ankle injury in the Copa America final on July 14, when he was instrumental in Argentina’s victory over Colombia, Messi made his debut with this effort.
In just four minutes after returning from injury, Lionel Messi scored two goals and added an assist as Inter Miami defeated the Philadelphia Union 3-1 in Major League Soccer. After hurting his right ankle at the Copa America final on July 14, when he assisted Argentina in defeating Colombia, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner had not participated in competition. He had since missed his team’s eight Major League Baseball games as well as his nation’s World Cup qualifying matches this month.
Messi didn’t miss a beat as he was added to the starting lineup despite not having played for Inter since June 1.
“After the game, I’ll be honest—I’m a little tired.” “I’d been away from the field for a while, and the heat and humidity in Miami don’t help either, but I really wanted to get back.
“Little by little I was training with the group, feeling good and that’s why we decided that I would start, and I’m very happy — very happy.”
After 90 minutes, Miami coach Gerardo Martino was ecstatic to see his star was “feeling good”. Mikael Uhre’s left-footed effort from outside the area in the second minute gave Philadelphia the lead.
In the 26th minute, Messi equalized the score after receiving a pass from Luis Suarez, dribbling past Kai Wagner, and finishing a move started on the left by Jordi Alba with a right-footed effort.
When he put Inter ahead in the 30th minute, the jubilant supporters were still rejoicing. He connected with Alba once more and struck a left-footed effort from the center of the field into the bottom right corner.
Before halftime, Inter believed Suarez had made it 3-1, but a VAR review reversed his goal. But Messi, who also received his first MLS yellow card for loitering on a corner kick, set up Suarez for another goal deep into injury time in the second half.
Martino stated that “both played the whole game because they were fine to finish the game,” and that the late goal supported his choice to keep both players in the match until the very end.
With six games left in the regular season, Inter Miami’s lead over their nearest Eastern Conference rivals, FC Cincinnati, has been widened to 62 points as a result of the win.
Messi is also happy that they are leading the competition for the Supporters’ Shield, which is given to the team that finishes first in the overall standings, despite his extended absence.
Deserved to come in first
“During the year we were very unlucky with injuries, we were never at full strength,” he stated. “We were constantly without players for various reasons, but the group never let us down.
“Today we are in first place with a big difference and deservedly so, and hopefully we can finish on top for what it means and what comes after that.”
Messi’s two goals put him back in the running for the top scorer award, bringing his total to 14 in just 13 games. Suarez, on the other hand, is now two goals behind Christian Benteke of DC United, who leads the MLS in scoring with 17.
Following a hearty greeting from 19,000 spectators at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale for Messi, the hosts had a brief scare when Uhre scored with just 58 seconds remaining.
After Argentine defender Tomas Aviles headed a cleared ball, the Danish attacker startled goalie Drake Callender with a blast against the post.
Martino was dealt another surprise a few minutes later when David Martinez, a center defender from Paraguay, was hurt while intercepting a pass from Philadelphia.
Callender was still under siege from the Union, but Messi was beginning to use the gaps to form alliances with Alba and Suarez.
When Alba raced the entire length of the field in the 26th minute, Suarez received the ball and set up Messi to cut inside Wagner and score.
After four minutes, Alba fired a cross into the center of the box from the left, which Suarez allowed to cross and Messi finished to make it 2-1.
In just 19 games, Messi, 37, who is playing in his second season in the US, is the fastest player in MLS history to record 15 goals and 15 assists.
